NEW HEAT: Fantasia ft/ Kelly Rowland & Missy Elliott "Without Me"

Have you heard this new jam from Fantasia "Without Me"? If not, you're missing out. The song from her forthcoming album. Side Effects of You, features Kelly Rowland and Missy Elliot.



I love the beat and vibe of this record. Not sure why this wasn't the first single released, but hopefully it's the next. Her new album comes out April 23rd. From the snippets that I've heard so far, it sounds like a banger. Will definitely be copping it!

Song of the Day: Mint Condition "You Don't Have To Hurt No More"

Legendary band Mint Condition released this slow jam as the second single of one of their top-selling albums, Definition of a Band back in 1997. One of my favs by them (so hard to choose), this song was written by then band member, Keri Lewis.

They are currently on tour and I CANNOT WAIT to finally see them live after all these years!!! Like it was stated during their TvOne Unsung documentary, they are the last great R&B band that we have. It's amazing and phenomenal that they stayed together all these years. Love them!

Happy Birthday Sade!

Happy Birthday to singer-songwriter Sade Adu! The Nigerian-born beauty turns 54 today. She continues to swoon audiences with her smooth, sultry vocals and has a catalog of timeless music that NEVER gets old. She hasn't released any music since her top-selling 2010 Soldier of Love album, but hopefully she will in the near future.

Song of the Day: Teena Marie "Out on A Limb"

This is one of my favorite jams from the late Teena "Lady T" Marie. The song is from her 1984 album, Starchild. Sadly, Lady T, passed the day after Christmas over two years ago at 54. Her daughter, Alia Rose, stated that her mom's final album will be released this year. The album is entitled Beautiful and is to be released on January 15th.

Boyz II Men To Perform New Show In Vegas

Popular 90's R&B group, Boyz II Men, will begin a 78 weekend Vegas show starting in March...

Rihanna Who? Beyonce Inks $50 Million Deal With Pepsi

If Beyonce hasn't proven that she's Queen by now, she just solidified her place on the throne by inking a $50 million deal with Pepsi...

VIDEO: Emelie Sandé - "Clown"

British singing sensation, Emeli Sandé dropped a new video today, "Clown" from her top selling debut album, Our Version of Events. Despite the recent Grammy snub, she continues doing what she does best which is putting out great music. See the video after the break!

THROWBACK: Pebbles "Giving You The Benefit" [VIDEO]

Today's throwback video features eighties/nineties artist, Pebbles. "Giving You The Benefit" was a number-one single from her second album, Always in 1990. It is, to date, one of the biggest singles of her career. 

New Music: Tamar Braxton "Love and War" [AUDIO]

Don't call her diva Toni Braxton's little sister or music mogul, Vincent Herbert's wife. Tamar Braxton is proving that she's a star in her own right.  Newly signed to Interscope Records,  "Love and War" is the lead single from her undated upcoming album release and has been all the buzz on Twitter today.

The beginning of the song does have a classic Toni Braxton vibe, but homegirl makes this song all her own. Her success as the reality star of WEtv's  Braxton Family Values and Tamar & Vince has given her a whole new audience of fans who were unfamiliar with her previously. Looking forward to hearing new music from Tamar!

See Also: New Heat: Toni Braxton "I Heart You" Video

55th Grammy Award Nominations--Luke James, SWV, and Tamia Get Nods!

For those of you that did not get a chance to tune into the 55th Grammy Awards nominations show last night, below is the list of the R&B categories. The show was held in Nashville, TN last night and featured an array of performers while hosted by rapper/actor LL Cool J and country star, Taylor Swift.  For the complete list of nominees, go here.

Best R&B Performance
Thank You - Estelle
Gonna Be Alright (f.t.b.) - Robert Glasper Experiment featuring Ledisi
I Want You - Luke James
Adorn - Miguel
Climax - Usher

Best Traditional R&B Performance
Lately - Anita Baker
Love On Top - Beyoncé
Wrong Side Of A Love Song - Melanie Fiona
Real Good Hands - Gregory Porter
If Only You Knew - SWV

Best R&B Song
Adorn - Miguel Pimentel, songwriter (Miguel)
Beautiful Surprise - Tamia Hill, Claude Kelly & Salaam Remi, songwriters (Tamia)
Heart Attack - Benjamin Levin, Rico Love & Tremaine Neverson, songwriters (Trey Songz)
Pray For Me - Antonio Dixon, Kenny Edmonds, Anthony Hamilton & Patrick "jque" Smith, songwriters (Anthony Hamilton)
Refill - Darhyl "dj" Camper, Elle Varner & Andrew "pop" Wansel, songwriters (Elle Varner)

Best Urban Contemporary Album
Fortune - Chris Brown
Kaleidoscope Dream - Miguel
Channel Orange - Frank Ocean

Best R&B Album
Black Radio - Robert Glasper Experiment
Back To Love - Anthony Hamilton
Write Me Back - R. Kelly
Beautiful Surprise - Tamia
Open Invitation - Tyrese

Song of the Day: Freddie Jackson "At Christmas"

Keeping up with the Christmas theme, I decided to post another holiday favorite. I abolutely love "At Christmas" by 80s R&B singer, Freddie Jackson. He sings of giving, sharing, and family--what the holidays are all about during Christmas.

This song was featured on This Christmas with Freddie Jackson in 1998. If you don't have this album in your collection, go out and cop it now. Enjoy!

Flashback: Anita Baker Performs "Frosty's Ray (Frosty The Snowman)" on Tony Danza Show

Only the illustrious Anita Baker could take a simple traditional song like "Frosty's Rag (Frosty the Snowman)" and sang the song like she's on Broadway. From the scats to the riffs, she knows how to make a song her own! She visited the Tony Danza Show to promote her 2005 Christmas release, Christmas Fantasy.

I forgot Tony even had a show. I used to have a crush on him when he starred in Who's The Boss? (and yes, I had a lot of childhood crushes. Clearly, he was enamoured by Ms. Baker because he was just grinnin' and skinnin' after she finished singing, lol. If you don't have Christmas Fantasy in your holiday music collection, you are definitely missing out!

VIDEO: Boyz II Men "Let It Snow"

This Christmas classic needs no introduction. The lead track from Boyz II Men's 1993 holiday album, Christmas Interpretations, "Let It Snow" is a classic that can be heard everywhere during this time of year. The song features then Motown label-mate, Brian McKnight, as well.

I was about five or six when this album came out. As one of my favorite R&B male groups of all time, I love hearing their harmonious voices singing Christmas classics and a few then-unknown, but now classics of their own. Most of which, were written by Boyz II Men and Brian McKnight. The whole album can be played from start to finish, but some of my favorites are "Let It Snow", "You're Not Alone", "Cold, December Nights", "Why Christmas" and "Who Would've Thought?"

Thanks R&B Haven for the video!

New Music: Alicia Keys ft/ Maxwell "Fire We Make"

"Fire We Make" is from Alicia Keys fifth studio album, Girl On Fire. Collectively, the album is a good listen. However, as soon as I pressed play on #7, I could tell this one was going to be on repeat! Alicia went back to her cornrow rocking days in the studio, because her and Maxwell did the damn thing with this song right here!  As soon as I saw Maxwell's name while listening to Girl on Fire, I thought, "Awwww shiet!"

Eric Benet & Faith Evans "Christmas Without You"

There's nothing I love more than Soul/R&B Christmas music, and two of my favorite singers, Eric Benet and Faith Evans did not fail to disappoint. The mid-tempo "Christmas Without You" talks about being without the one you love on Christmas. Take a listen and leave a comment on what you think.

Song of the Day: The Jackson 5 "Give Love On Christmas Day"

Originally recorded by The Jackson 5, this holiday classic from their Christmas album is a favorite that can be heard on radios and in stores everywhere during this time of the year. This song has been covered by The Temptations, New Edition, and Johnny Gill. Even though I love their versions too, nothing ever compares to the original.

Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Aretha Franklin and more Inducted into R&B Hall of Fame

The official opening of the R&B Hall of Fame Museum was announced last week. They plan to honor artists, producers, and others who have contributed to the genre's success. The legendary Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston and Aretha Franklin are among the 23 inductees for the Class of 2013. Check out who else made the list after the break!

New Artist Shine: Alexis Nicole "Wait For Me"

Although I am an old-school Soul/R&B junkie/enthusiast, I do on occasion like to give newer R&B artists shine. Alexis Nicole is an artist that I found out about through Twitter. Her latest single, "Wait For Me" was all the buzz, so I decided to take a listen and was pleasantly surprised. Produced by Trei Sly, this song "can be the soundtrack of many love stories. Sometimes, you may have to wait on the one you want until they can actually be that for you.his song," according to Alexis. Check it out for yourself below.

I liked the song on first listen, although I think her smooth, smoky vocals are too heavy for this record. However, the production intertwines nicely with her voice to make this an easy listen. After listening to this song, I went to her website to find more of her music. I really liked her previous singles, "Cold World" and "Love's A Game". They really showcase her vocal range and ability a lot more in my opinion. She has a great look and sound and I look forward to hearing more from  her.

What do you think of "Wait For Me"? Leave a comment and follow Alexis Nicole on Twitter!

R&B Group Silk Returns With New Single "Home For Christmas"

If you're a big fan of Soul/R&B Christmas music like I am, then you'll be delighted to know that 90s R&B group, Silk, has released their new single "Home For Christmas" just in time for the holidays! Check out the preview after the break.

Emelie Sande Announces 2013 U.S. Tour Dates!

The U.S. tour dates for U.K. singing sensation Emelie Sande were announced this week and I couldn't be more excited. After selling over 600,000 copies of her debut album, Our Version of Events, she is one of the biggest selling stars this years overseas. However, her star has not shone as brightly over here in the United States. But that's all going to change when she tours the States next year. See what cities she's going to be visiting after the break!